US3866229A - Method and apparatus for automatically determining position-motion state of a moving object - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for automatically determining position-motion state of a moving object Download PDF

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US3866229A
US3866229A US288429A US28842972A US3866229A US 3866229 A US3866229 A US 3866229A US 288429 A US288429 A US 288429A US 28842972 A US28842972 A US 28842972A US 3866229 A US3866229 A US 3866229A
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Calvin Miles Hammack
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Priority to US817765A priority patent/US3691560A/en
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Priority to US00074180A priority patent/US3795911A/en
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Priority to US288429A priority patent/US3866229A/en
Priority to US05/296,321 priority patent/US3996590A/en
Priority claimed from US05/296,321 external-priority patent/US3996590A/en
Priority to US05/448,071 priority patent/US3953856A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S11/00—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation
    • G01S11/02—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves
    • G01S11/10—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using Doppler effect
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S1/00—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith
    • G01S1/02—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith using radio waves
    • G01S1/08—Systems for determining direction or position line
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S1/00—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith
    • G01S1/02—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith using radio waves
    • G01S1/08—Systems for determining direction or position line
    • G01S1/20—Systems for determining direction or position line using a comparison of transit time of synchronised signals transmitted from non-directional antennas or antenna systems spaced apart, i.e. path-difference systems
    • G01S1/30—Systems for determining direction or position line using a comparison of transit time of synchronised signals transmitted from non-directional antennas or antenna systems spaced apart, i.e. path-difference systems the synchronised signals being continuous waves or intermittent trains of continuous waves, the intermittency not being for the purpose of determining direction or position line and the transit times being compared by measuring the phase difference
    • G01S1/302—Systems in which the direction is determined by using an interferometric type transmitting antenna array
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S11/00—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation
    • G01S11/02—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
    • G01S13/06—Systems determining position data of a target
    • G01S13/46—Indirect determination of position data
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
    • G01S13/50—Systems of measurement based on relative movement of target
    • G01S13/58—Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/66—Radar-tracking systems; Analogous systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/87—Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S3/00—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received
    • G01S3/02—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using radio waves
    • G01S3/14—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction
    • G01S3/46—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using antennas spaced apart and measuring phase or time difference between signals therefrom, i.e. path-difference systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S5/00—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S5/02—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S5/00—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S5/02—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
    • G01S5/04—Position of source determined by a plurality of spaced direction-finders
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S5/00—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S5/02—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
    • G01S5/14—Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
    • G01S13/06—Systems determining position data of a target
    • G01S13/46—Indirect determination of position data
    • G01S2013/466—Indirect determination of position data by Trilateration, i.e. two antennas or two sensors determine separately the distance to a target, whereby with the knowledge of the baseline length, i.e. the distance between the antennas or sensors, the position data of the target is determined

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT This invention relates to a method and means of determining at least one dimension of the position-motion state of one or more points relative to at least one reference point by performing a plurality of measurements comprising measurements of angular variations or angular differences, or of functions of such angular variations or angular differences. The apexes of such angular variations or differences are located at the reference points.
  • My invention utilizes a plurality of measurements, sensings, or determinations of angular or trigonometric variations in combination with ancillary measurement, sensing or determination of other quantities to determine at least one dimension of the position-motion state of a moving vehicle or other object.
  • my invention has a position-finding mode in which it is employed to determine the position of a moving wave transmitter by detecting angular or trigonometric variations occurring at each of a plurality of detecting stations.
  • my invention has a navigation mode in which a receiving equipment is carried aboard a navigating vehicle for detecting angular or trigonometric variations relative to each of a plurality of beacon stations to which the receiving system aboard the vehicle is responsive.
  • My invention also comprises reflective methods and systems. To perform the ancillary determination, sensing, or measuring a number of well known means and methods are available as are optional ancillary elements of the instant invention.
  • My invention comprises means and methods of combining separable methods of determining dimension of the positionmotion state which provide improved accuracy and dependability over the more simple methods employing measurement, sensing or other determination of angular or trigonometric variations.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing two-aperture geometry
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing two-aperture circuit using phase measuring device
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing two-aperture geometry for difference measurement
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing two-aperture circuit for transmitting, using wave modulation for identification of apertures
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing two-aperture receiving circuit for measuring rate of change of direction cosine using differentiator
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing two-aperture circuit for measuring rate of change of direction cosine using frequency discriminator
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing two-aperture circuit for measuring change of direction cosine using counter
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram showing two-aperture circuit for measuring the difference of the direction cosines of two different simultaneous wave fronts
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the geometry of direction finding in three-space in accordance with this invention.
  • FIGS. 10 and 10A are diagrams showing a rotating direction finder
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the geometry of fourstation position determination
  • FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the apparatus for four-station position determination
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a circuit for finding direction using four apertures
  • FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating a circuit for finding increments and rates of change of direction cosines
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a circuit for finding direction of moving receiver from beacon transmitter
  • FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a circuit for finding direction of a moving receiver from beacon transmitter
  • FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the geometry of a method for finding position in three dimensions using three stations
  • FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a circuit using three transmitting apertures for finding direction of receiver relative to transmitter axes
  • FIG. 18 is an elevational view of a radio tracking mount equipped with inertial pointing sensor apparatus
  • FIG. 19 is another elevational view of the same tracking mount as shown in FIG. 18 but pointing in a different direction;
  • FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the pointing member of a radio tracking mount employing a particular form of inertial apparatus and showing the position of a gyro wheel in the pointing member;
  • FIG. 21 is a diagram of the geometry of a threestation system using a known starting point and separate reference axes
  • FIG. 22 is a diagram of the geometry of a threestation system using a known starting point and reference axes through that starting point;
  • FIG. 23 is a diagram of the geometry of a threestation system for determining velocity with separate reference axes
  • FIG. 24 is a diagram of the geometry of a threestation system for determining velocity without separate reference axes
  • FIG. 25 illustrates the geometrical properties of a system employing measurement of incremental type variations of beacon bearings at a moving vehicle
  • FIG. 26 illustrates the geometrical properties of a system employing measurement of incremental type variations of angles between beacon direction at a moving vehicle
  • FIG. 27 illustrates the geometrical properties of a system employing measurement of rate type variations of beacon bearings at a moving vehicle
  • FIG. 28 illustrates the geometrical properties of a system employing measurement of rate type variations of angles between beacon directions at a moving vehicle.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing showing the geometrical relationships between two wave apertures 101 and 102, parts of an equipment for performing a measurement, and an incident planar wave.
  • Theta designates the geometrical angle between the direction of wave propagation and the line joining the two apertures. This geometry is representative ofa variety of types of measurement and a variety of devices for performing these measurements.
  • a conventional arrangement for finding the cosine of theta is shown in FIG. 2.
  • the two apertures 201 and 202 are connected by transmission lines 203 and 204 to a phase measuring device 205 which measures the phase between the two arriving signals. This measured phase designated by phi is in direct proportion to the cosine of the angle theta.
  • the phase measuring device 205 Assuming that the phase measuring device 205 is accurate, the accuracy and stability of the total instrumentation is dependent upon the accuracy and stability of the apertures 201 and 202 and the transmission lines 203 and 204.
  • the art contains a number of methods for calibrating such equipments and for monitoring and enhancing their stability and accuracy. See for example F. N. Dingley, .lr., US. Pat. No. 2,454,783 dated Nov. 30, I948, for a device to establish the zero of a two aperture system. Also see for example F. J. Lundburg, US. Pat. No. 2,465,382 issued Mar. 29, I949.
  • phase accuracy or phase balance of the transmission lines 203 and 204 and the apertures and 202 are of no consequence, and there need be no zero setting or known zero point of reference.
  • the relative phase change through the two transmission systems need not be known or calibrated.
  • the zero of the scale of the phase measuring device 205 is set at the value indicated as the result of the first measurement in the preceeding paragraph. Successive measurements are then performed directly with reference to this zero setting, and each constitutes a primary measurement.
  • This primary measurement is that of the difference of two direction cosines.
  • the measurements cannot be simultaneous, the measured phenomenon may be simulta neous since the waves upon which the measurements are performed may be from different simultaneous sources with different frequencies or identifiable modulation, etc.
  • the measurements may be performed relative to successive positions of the same wave source.
  • the typical geometrical relationships involved in this type of primary measurement is indicated in FIG. 3. As in FIG. 1, the thetas represent the geometrical angles between the direction of propagation of the waves incident upon the apparatus and the line joining the phase centers of the two apertures.
  • the same principles apply to transmitting apparatus arranged so as to provide a directional beacon.
  • Such an apparatus is shown schematically in FIG. 4.
  • the receiver which may be aboard a moving vehicle, has only a single aperture.
  • the transmitter has two apertures 401 and 402. It is necessary for the receiver to be able to identify the waves coming from each of the two transmitting apertures so in this example the identification is provided by a pair of modulators 403 and 404, each of which modulates the signal from the oscillator 405 in such a manner as to identify the signal fed to the corresponding transmitting aperture.
  • modulators 403 and 404 each of which modulates the signal from the oscillator 405 in such a manner as to identify the signal fed to the corresponding transmitting aperture.
  • the phase delay through the modulators 403 and 404, the transmission lines 406 and 407, and the apertures 401 and 402 must be stable and accurate if the apparatus is to provide an accurate measurement of the cosine of the angle between the line to the distant receiver and the line between the apertures.
  • the problem of accurate phasing in this equipment does not exist since the primary measurement consists of the measurement of the difference of two cosines. These two cosines result from the same receiver being first at one place for a first reading or zero set and then at another place for the termination of the measurement.
  • two separated receivers perform the reading function at separated points and the resultant data communicated to a common point the one element of data being there subtracted from the other to provide a synthesized element of pri mary data.
  • the knowledge of or balancing of the relative phase shift through the two arms of the equipment is not required.
  • the principles of my invention are the same whether applied to beacons or to direction finders or other systems.
  • FIG. 5 Another embodiment of my invention employs measurements of the time differential of the cosine of the wave incident upon an apparatus represented by FIG. 5 containing two wave apertures 501 and 502, transmission lines 503 and 504 and a phase measuring device 505 identical to that shown in FIG. 2.
  • the output of the phase-sensitive device 505 is differentiated with respect to time in differentiator 506.
  • the cosine of the angle theta also changes as a function of time, and the measured value of this quantity is the primary measurement of the system. Since this is a differential measurement, any constant unbalance of the phase shift through the two arms of the apparatus does not influence the value of the measurement.
  • FIG. 6 Another embodiment of my invention, shown in FIG. 6, employs the same type of fundamental measurement as that performed with the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, but differs in the process of performing the measurement.
  • the phase delay in the two arms consisting of apertures 601 and 602 and the transmission lines 603 and 604, respectively, are not necessarily balanced or known.
  • the transmission lines 603 and 604 feed a mixer 605.
  • the frequency of the signal at the output of the mixer 605 is that of the difference between the frequencies of the signals at the two apertures 601 and 602 and is the result of variation of the angle theta as described.
  • Another viewpoint is to say that the rate of change of range between the source and one of the apertures is not equal to the rate of change of range between the source and the other aperture with a consequent unbalance doppler effect.
  • the signal from the mixer 605 is fed into frequency discriminator 606 where a voltage proportional to the frequency is developed for indicating purposes.
  • FIG. 7 shows an apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 6.
  • the apertures 701 and 702, the transmission lines 703 and 704, and the mixer 705 may be indentical with those shown in FIG. 6.
  • the discriminator 606 is replaced by a counter 706.
  • the primary measurement is that of the net difference in phase shift occurring in a time interval governed by the on-off signal controlling the operation of the counter.
  • This net change in phase between the two signals fed to the mixer 705 is owing to a finite increment in the angle between the line joining the apparatus and the distant source of waves and the line joining the two apertures.
  • the measurement is the result of unequal changes in the ranges from the apertures to the source of waves.
  • the quantity measured is the difference in the two direction cosines corresponding to the epochs of the on and off signals to the counter.
  • FIG. 8 shows an apparatus for the simultaneous measurement of the difference in the cosines of the two angles 8, and 0 indicated in FIG. 3.
  • the measurement essentially is that of taking the difference of two simultaneous measurements of the cosines of an angle as described relative to FIG. 2.
  • the means of separation of the two separate simultaneous signals is not included in the diagram.
  • the phase shifts in the apertures 801 and 802 and the transmission lines 803 and 804 must be equal for the signals corresponding to the two incident waves.
  • the response of the two phase measuring devices 805 and 806 should be alike.
  • the difference between the outputs of the phase measuring devices 805 and 806 is formed in subtractor 807, the output of which is the primary measurement. Inequality in the phase shifts through the two arms formed by apertures 801 and 802 and transmission lines 803 and 804 do not affect the measurement.
  • FIGS. 2 through 8 are simplifications of the actual apparatus and are only represented to indicate the underlying principles of the various measurements which are operative in some of the embodiments of my invention. It is to be noted that under certain conditions ambiguity can arise in measurements of instantaneous phase difference as described for FIGS. 2 and 8. This ambiguity can result from the separation of the apertures by distances greater than one wavelength. Methods of resolving this ambiguity by the use of additional apertures with smaller separation in the additional pairs of apertures are common. Such an arrangement is employed in the Azusa system. In measurements of the time derivative of the phase difference, there is no problem of ambiguity regardless of the separation of the two apertures. Similarly, the type of measurement in which a continuous recording of the net change in the difference of phase between the apertures is performed, as indicated in FIG. 7, there is no problem of ambiguity regardless of the separation of the apertures relative to the wavelength.
  • the variety of techniques and apparatus for measuring functions of the cosine described are employed in both simple and more complicated embodiments of my invention.
  • the plurality of pairs of apertures are located at the same site.
  • the different pairs of apertures are located at separate sites, and in still other embodiments there is a plurality of pairs of apertures at each of several sites.
  • the pairs of apertures are in motion, in translation or in revolution.
  • the change in cosine or the rate of change of cosine measured may be the result of motion of the measuring apparatus instead of or in addition to motion of the other end of the wave communication means.
  • the field strength must be known or otherwise eliminated as an unknown in the system.
  • the field need not necessarily be a field of radio waves. Radiant heat would be suitable for such an application.
  • Light waves can be used, either coherent or noncoherent. The list of such devices known to the art is great and this application cannot list them all.
  • the apertures shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 inclusive may be directional or nondirectional. Use of light waves as with lasers provides apertures affording a very high ratio of width of aperture or separation of apertures to wavelength.
  • Included in the measurement techniques employed in the various embodiments of my invention are techniques for measuring cosine functions relative to one or more clusters of sources of waves or other field sources. These clusters of sources may of themselves be stationary or moving, the embodiments of my invention measuring position dimensions of units of the cluster relative to each other.
  • the doppler phenomenon provides a means of separating the signals of the various sources when they are in motion relative to the detecting equipment.

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and means of determining at least one dimension of the position-motion state of one or more points relative to at least one reference point by performing a plurality of measurements comprising measurements of angular variations or angular differences, or of functions of such angular variations or angular differences. The apexes of such angular variations or differences are located at the reference points.

Description

United States Patent [191 Hammack METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY DETERMINING POSITION-MOTION STATE OF A MOVING OBJECT [76] Inventor: Calvin Miles l-lammack. P. O. 304,
Saratoga. Calif. 95070 [22 Filed: Sept. 12, I972 [21] Appl. No.: 288,429
Related U.S. Application Data [60] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 817.765, April 21, 1969. Pat. No. 3,691,560. which is a division of Ser.
Nos. 420.623. Dec. 23, 1964. Pat. No. 3,445,847,
and Ser. No. 86,770. Feb. 2. 1961. Pat. No. 3.706.096, and Ser. No. 74.180, Sept. 21, 1970, Pat. No. 3.795.911. which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 278.191, May 6. 1963, abandoned.
[52] U.S. Cl. 343/112 R, 235/150.27, 235/150.271, 343/16 R, 343/112 C, 356/141 [51] Int. Cl. G015 5/04 [58] Field of Search 235/150.27. 150.271; 343/112 R, 15,112 Q9, 16 R; 356/141 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.968.034 H1961 Cafarelli. Jr. 343/112 R KNOWN STARTING POINT (ARM POINT) STATION I (A PEX POINT) KNOWN AXIS STATION 2 (A PE x POINT) 14 1 Feb. 11,1975
3,090,957 5/1963 Albanese et al. 343/112 R 3,296,423 1/1967 Ewertz 235/150.27l
3,378,842 4/1968 Phillips 1 235/l50.27 3.571.567 3/1971 Eckermann 235/150.271
Primary Examiner-Maynard R. Wilbur Assistant E.\'uminerRichard E. Berger Allarney. Agent. or FirmVictor R. Beckman [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a method and means of determining at least one dimension of the position-motion state of one or more points relative to at least one reference point by performing a plurality of measurements comprising measurements of angular variations or angular differences, or of functions of such angular variations or angular differences. The apexes of such angular variations or differences are located at the reference points.
104 Claims, 30 Drawing Figures TRAJECTORY DETERMINED POINT (ARM POINT) KNOWN AXIS STATION 3 (APEX POI NT) KNOWN AXIS PATENTEU 1 1975 3,866,229
SHEET 02UF16 y ;i// [I B UNIT v RADH/( Y ORTGIN (STATION) Q) TARGET DIRECTION POINTS ON UNIT SPHERE PATENTEU 1 [975 3,866,229
SHEET .0 4 OF 16 SEA 0 POINTS OF UNKNOWN POSITION C) POINTS OF KNOWN POSITION ARM POINTS X Y 3 3 A252 APEX POINTS':
1 l l l l l x ,Y UNKNOWN COORDINATES A ,B KNOWN COORDINATES z/(x, AZ)2+ (Y, B2)2 /(x A2)2+ (v, a cos e PATH-HEUFEBI 1 I97 SHEET 05 0F 16 M+ I N M=COS e -c0s 9 ANTENNA PAIR ON-OFF M ANDN ARE MEASURED QUANTITIES SIGNS ARE FOR mCTiON CCW PMEI'HEU 1 I575 3866.229
SHEET U70F16 BA!" .l3A2"L ANTENNAS I3A4 l I FIRST m3 DET 4 J I iSA? |3A8 & PHASE SHIFT LOCAL osc \J'BAG v AMP a/ I3AIO IBAHM ODOMETER mus RATE INDICATOR PAIENIEDFEBI H915 3,866,229 7 SHEET 09 0F 16 GROUND TRANS EQUIP I |5o5 04 -4 5"" RF AMP FREQ I MULT I506 I500 ANT TAND FREQ OSC I508 I5 H 5|3 /,|5'6 M I X If AMP iREQ MULT (\P SHIFTER p I v L L, b l+ I5IO\ FREQ MULT RECEIVING EQUIP IN MOVING VEHICLE F/G l5 PATENTEUFEB] 1 I975 3', 866.229
SHEET 10 0F 16 X0 Y0, Za ARM POINT UKNOWN PATH OF MOVING VEHICLE ARM PomT h h fl APEX POINT APEX POIN T M AND M ARE MEASURED QUANTITIES AT NTH TATION M cosoc cos M cosanr C V M APEX POINT SIX UNKNOWNS SIX EQUATIONS SIX MEASUREMENTS F/G /6 PATENTEU F551 3. 866.229
sum 12 or 16 DISH ANTENNA INERTIAL VERTICAL SENSOR E BEARING POINTING MEMBER YOKE A/ COUNTERWEIGHT HORIZONTAL BEARING F/G /8 BASE F/G /9 COMMON AXIS OF DISH AND GYRO WHEEL COUNTERWEIGHT POINTING MEMBER PAIENIED 3. 866.229
SHEEI 13UF 16 KNOWN STARTING POINT TRAJECTORY (ARM POINT) DETERMINED POINT (ARM POIN T) STATION I (APEX PoINT) STATION 3 KNOWN AXIS (APEX POINT) STATION 2 KNOWN AxIs (APEX POINT) TRAJECTORY DETERMINED POINT (ARM POIN T) STATION 3 (APEX POINT) KNOWN STARTING POINT STATION I (APEX POINT) STA-HON 2 (APEX POINT) PATENIEU PI. 866 .229
SHEET 1n or 16 POSITION OF MOVING OBJECT AT KNOWN ARM POINT VELOCITY VECTOR OF MOVING OBJECT TO BE DETERMINED KNOWN AXIS STATION] 9 STATION 3 (APEX POINT) 2 (APEVXPOINT) KNOWN AxIs KNOWN AXIS STATION 2 F/G 23 (APEX POINT) VELOQTY VECTOR POSITION OF MOVING OBJECT 0F MOVING OBJECT AT KNOWN ARM POINT TO BE DETERMINED STATION l STATION 3 (APEX POINT) (APEX POINT) STATION 2 (APEX POINT) PATENTED FEB] 1 I975 SHEET 150F16 PATH GROUP TWO POINTS AXIS AT VEHICLE GROUP ONE POINTS (STATIONS) GROUP TWO POINTS.
GROUP ON E POINTS (STATIONS) PATENTED 1 1975 3,866,229
SHEET 180F16 VELOCITY VECTOR TWO POIN T AXIS AT VEHICLE GROUP ONE POINTS FIG 27 (STATIONS) GROUP TWO POINT VELOCITY VECTOR GROUP ONE POINTS (STATIONS) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY DETERMINING POSITION-MOTION STATE OF A MOVING OBJECT CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part of copending patent applications Ser. No. 817,765, filed Apr. 21, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,691,560, issued Sept. 12, 1972, which, in turn, is a divisional application of Ser. No. 420,623, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,445,847, issued May 20, 1969; Ser. No. 86,770, filed Feb. 2, 1961, now Pat. No. 3,706,096, issued Dec. 12, 1972; and Ser. No. 74,180, filed Sept. 21, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,795,911, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 278,191, filed May 6, 1963, now abandoned. Other related applications include Ser. No. 335,454, filed Dec. 5, 1963, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,242,487; Ser. No. 289,609, filed June 21, 1963, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,263; and Ser. No. 312,598, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,340, issued Aug. 3, 1966.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My invention utilizes a plurality of measurements, sensings, or determinations of angular or trigonometric variations in combination with ancillary measurement, sensing or determination of other quantities to determine at least one dimension of the position-motion state of a moving vehicle or other object. As an example my invention has a position-finding mode in which it is employed to determine the position of a moving wave transmitter by detecting angular or trigonometric variations occurring at each of a plurality of detecting stations. Similarly my invention has a navigation mode in which a receiving equipment is carried aboard a navigating vehicle for detecting angular or trigonometric variations relative to each of a plurality of beacon stations to which the receiving system aboard the vehicle is responsive. My invention also comprises reflective methods and systems. To perform the ancillary determination, sensing, or measuring a number of well known means and methods are available as are optional ancillary elements of the instant invention. My invention comprises means and methods of combining separable methods of determining dimension of the positionmotion state which provide improved accuracy and dependability over the more simple methods employing measurement, sensing or other determination of angular or trigonometric variations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing two-aperture geometry;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing two-aperture circuit using phase measuring device;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing two-aperture geometry for difference measurement;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing two-aperture circuit for transmitting, using wave modulation for identification of apertures;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing two-aperture receiving circuit for measuring rate of change of direction cosine using differentiator;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing two-aperture circuit for measuring rate of change of direction cosine using frequency discriminator;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing two-aperture circuit for measuring change of direction cosine using counter;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing two-aperture circuit for measuring the difference of the direction cosines of two different simultaneous wave fronts;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the geometry of direction finding in three-space in accordance with this invention;
FIGS. 10 and 10A are diagrams showing a rotating direction finder;
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the geometry of fourstation position determination;
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the apparatus for four-station position determination;
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a circuit for finding direction using four apertures;
FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating a circuit for finding increments and rates of change of direction cosines;
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a circuit for finding direction of moving receiver from beacon transmitter;
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a circuit for finding direction of a moving receiver from beacon transmitter;
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the geometry of a method for finding position in three dimensions using three stations;
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a circuit using three transmitting apertures for finding direction of receiver relative to transmitter axes;
FIG. 18 is an elevational view of a radio tracking mount equipped with inertial pointing sensor apparatus;
FIG. 19 is another elevational view of the same tracking mount as shown in FIG. 18 but pointing in a different direction;
FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the pointing member of a radio tracking mount employing a particular form of inertial apparatus and showing the position of a gyro wheel in the pointing member;
FIG. 21 is a diagram of the geometry of a threestation system using a known starting point and separate reference axes;
FIG. 22 is a diagram of the geometry of a threestation system using a known starting point and reference axes through that starting point;
FIG. 23 is a diagram of the geometry of a threestation system for determining velocity with separate reference axes;
FIG. 24 is a diagram of the geometry of a threestation system for determining velocity without separate reference axes;
FIG. 25 illustrates the geometrical properties of a system employing measurement of incremental type variations of beacon bearings at a moving vehicle;
FIG. 26 illustrates the geometrical properties of a system employing measurement of incremental type variations of angles between beacon direction at a moving vehicle;
FIG. 27 illustrates the geometrical properties of a system employing measurement of rate type variations of beacon bearings at a moving vehicle; and
FIG. 28 illustrates the geometrical properties of a system employing measurement of rate type variations of angles between beacon directions at a moving vehicle.
APPLICANTS INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS In FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing showing the geometrical relationships between two wave apertures 101 and 102, parts of an equipment for performing a measurement, and an incident planar wave. Theta designates the geometrical angle between the direction of wave propagation and the line joining the two apertures. This geometry is representative ofa variety of types of measurement and a variety of devices for performing these measurements. A conventional arrangement for finding the cosine of theta is shown in FIG. 2. The two apertures 201 and 202 are connected by transmission lines 203 and 204 to a phase measuring device 205 which measures the phase between the two arriving signals. This measured phase designated by phi is in direct proportion to the cosine of the angle theta. Assuming that the phase measuring device 205 is accurate, the accuracy and stability of the total instrumentation is dependent upon the accuracy and stability of the apertures 201 and 202 and the transmission lines 203 and 204. The art contains a number of methods for calibrating such equipments and for monitoring and enhancing their stability and accuracy. See for example F. N. Dingley, .lr., US. Pat. No. 2,454,783 dated Nov. 30, I948, for a device to establish the zero of a two aperture system. Also see for example F. J. Lundburg, US. Pat. No. 2,465,382 issued Mar. 29, I949.
In the practical embodiments of my invention using this type of measurement, the phase accuracy or phase balance of the transmission lines 203 and 204 and the apertures and 202 are of no consequence, and there need be no zero setting or known zero point of reference. The relative phase change through the two transmission systems need not be known or calibrated. When the arrangement of apparatus represented in FIG. 2 is employed in practical embodiments of my invention, it is always employed to perform a plurality of successive measurements. Each measurement includes an unknown that is common to each of the other measurements. It is true that such a measurement is a complete measurement in that its resultant or reading can be expressed numerically.
In an alternative method the zero of the scale of the phase measuring device 205 is set at the value indicated as the result of the first measurement in the preceeding paragraph. Successive measurements are then performed directly with reference to this zero setting, and each constitutes a primary measurement. This primary measurement is that of the difference of two direction cosines. Although the measurements cannot be simultaneous, the measured phenomenon may be simulta neous since the waves upon which the measurements are performed may be from different simultaneous sources with different frequencies or identifiable modulation, etc. On the other hand, the measurements may be performed relative to successive positions of the same wave source. The typical geometrical relationships involved in this type of primary measurement is indicated in FIG. 3. As in FIG. 1, the thetas represent the geometrical angles between the direction of propagation of the waves incident upon the apparatus and the line joining the phase centers of the two apertures.
The same principles apply to transmitting apparatus arranged so as to provide a directional beacon. Such an apparatus is shown schematically in FIG. 4. In this instance the angles whose cosines are to be measured are at the site of the transmitter rather than at the receiver. The receiver, which may be aboard a moving vehicle, has only a single aperture. The transmitter has two apertures 401 and 402. It is necessary for the receiver to be able to identify the waves coming from each of the two transmitting apertures so in this example the identification is provided by a pair of modulators 403 and 404, each of which modulates the signal from the oscillator 405 in such a manner as to identify the signal fed to the corresponding transmitting aperture. As with the equipment represented in FIG. 2, the phase delay through the modulators 403 and 404, the transmission lines 406 and 407, and the apertures 401 and 402 must be stable and accurate if the apparatus is to provide an accurate measurement of the cosine of the angle between the line to the distant receiver and the line between the apertures. However, as in the receiving apparatus, the problem of accurate phasing in this equipment does not exist since the primary measurement consists of the measurement of the difference of two cosines. These two cosines result from the same receiver being first at one place for a first reading or zero set and then at another place for the termination of the measurement. In some instances two separated receivers perform the reading function at separated points and the resultant data communicated to a common point the one element of data being there subtracted from the other to provide a synthesized element of pri mary data. In the manner described, the knowledge of or balancing of the relative phase shift through the two arms of the equipment is not required. The principles of my invention are the same whether applied to beacons or to direction finders or other systems.
Another embodiment of my invention employs measurements of the time differential of the cosine of the wave incident upon an apparatus represented by FIG. 5 containing two wave apertures 501 and 502, transmission lines 503 and 504 and a phase measuring device 505 identical to that shown in FIG. 2. However, in this embodiment the output of the phase-sensitive device 505 is differentiated with respect to time in differentiator 506. As the direction of the source of waves changes, the cosine of the angle theta also changes as a function of time, and the measured value of this quantity is the primary measurement of the system. Since this is a differential measurement, any constant unbalance of the phase shift through the two arms of the apparatus does not influence the value of the measurement.
Another embodiment of my invention, shown in FIG. 6, employs the same type of fundamental measurement as that performed with the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, but differs in the process of performing the measurement. As before, the phase delay in the two arms consisting of apertures 601 and 602 and the transmission lines 603 and 604, respectively, are not necessarily balanced or known. The transmission lines 603 and 604 feed a mixer 605. The frequency of the signal at the output of the mixer 605 is that of the difference between the frequencies of the signals at the two apertures 601 and 602 and is the result of variation of the angle theta as described. Another viewpoint is to say that the rate of change of range between the source and one of the apertures is not equal to the rate of change of range between the source and the other aperture with a consequent unbalance doppler effect. The signal from the mixer 605 is fed into frequency discriminator 606 where a voltage proportional to the frequency is developed for indicating purposes.
FIG. 7 shows an apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 6. The apertures 701 and 702, the transmission lines 703 and 704, and the mixer 705 may be indentical with those shown in FIG. 6. However, there is a substantial difference in the fundamental nature of the primary measurement performed by the apparatus shown in FIG. 7. The discriminator 606 is replaced by a counter 706. Thus the primary measurement is that of the net difference in phase shift occurring in a time interval governed by the on-off signal controlling the operation of the counter. This net change in phase between the two signals fed to the mixer 705 is owing to a finite increment in the angle between the line joining the apparatus and the distant source of waves and the line joining the two apertures. From the doppler viewpoint, one may say that the measurement is the result of unequal changes in the ranges from the apertures to the source of waves. The quantity measured is the difference in the two direction cosines corresponding to the epochs of the on and off signals to the counter.
FIG. 8 shows an apparatus for the simultaneous measurement of the difference in the cosines of the two angles 8, and 0 indicated in FIG. 3. The measurement essentially is that of taking the difference of two simultaneous measurements of the cosines of an angle as described relative to FIG. 2. The means of separation of the two separate simultaneous signals is not included in the diagram. The phase shifts in the apertures 801 and 802 and the transmission lines 803 and 804 must be equal for the signals corresponding to the two incident waves. Furthermore, the response of the two phase measuring devices 805 and 806 should be alike. The difference between the outputs of the phase measuring devices 805 and 806 is formed in subtractor 807, the output of which is the primary measurement. Inequality in the phase shifts through the two arms formed by apertures 801 and 802 and transmission lines 803 and 804 do not affect the measurement.
FIGS. 2 through 8 are simplifications of the actual apparatus and are only represented to indicate the underlying principles of the various measurements which are operative in some of the embodiments of my invention. It is to be noted that under certain conditions ambiguity can arise in measurements of instantaneous phase difference as described for FIGS. 2 and 8. This ambiguity can result from the separation of the apertures by distances greater than one wavelength. Methods of resolving this ambiguity by the use of additional apertures with smaller separation in the additional pairs of apertures are common. Such an arrangement is employed in the Azusa system. In measurements of the time derivative of the phase difference, there is no problem of ambiguity regardless of the separation of the two apertures. Similarly, the type of measurement in which a continuous recording of the net change in the difference of phase between the apertures is performed, as indicated in FIG. 7, there is no problem of ambiguity regardless of the separation of the apertures relative to the wavelength.
The variety of techniques and apparatus for measuring functions of the cosine described are employed in both simple and more complicated embodiments of my invention. In some embodiments there are a plurality of pairs of apertures all fixed in position relative to each other. In some embodiments the plurality of pairs of apertures are located at the same site. In other embodiments the different pairs of apertures are located at separate sites, and in still other embodiments there is a plurality of pairs of apertures at each of several sites. In some embodiments the pairs of apertures are in motion, in translation or in revolution. Thus the change in cosine or the rate of change of cosine measured may be the result of motion of the measuring apparatus instead of or in addition to motion of the other end of the wave communication means.
There are other methods of measuring the various functions of cosines in addition to the use of paired apertures. Such methods include the well known phased array. In at least one equipment of this type there are many apertures arranged in a straight line. These apertures may be connected by elements possessing a controllable phase shift. By measuring the phase shift required to receive or transmit waves in a given direction, one is able to measure the cosine of the angle associated with that direction. Another method of measuring the direction cosines and the functions thereof is the use of an aperture that provides a signal proportional to the amount of energy or power intercepted by it. The intercepted energy is the product of the wave or field times the cosine of the angle between the direction of propagation and the perpendicular to the aperture face, in the manner shown in FIG. 1. The field strength must be known or otherwise eliminated as an unknown in the system. The field need not necessarily be a field of radio waves. Radiant heat would be suitable for such an application. Light waves can be used, either coherent or noncoherent. The list of such devices known to the art is great and this application cannot list them all. The apertures shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 inclusive may be directional or nondirectional. Use of light waves as with lasers provides apertures affording a very high ratio of width of aperture or separation of apertures to wavelength.
Included in the measurement techniques employed in the various embodiments of my invention are techniques for measuring cosine functions relative to one or more clusters of sources of waves or other field sources. These clusters of sources may of themselves be stationary or moving, the embodiments of my invention measuring position dimensions of units of the cluster relative to each other.
In instances where the cluster is composed of sources of the same source frequency, or is composed of reflecting targets, the doppler phenomenon provides a means of separating the signals of the various sources when they are in motion relative to the detecting equipment.
In those embodiments of my invention dependent upon the measurement of variation of cosine of the angle of coincidence of a plane wave wherein the signals from two apertures are mixed to obtain the measured signal, there is a relationship between the distance of separation of the apertures, the length of the wave, and the signal-to-noise ratio and the accuracy with which the measurement may be performed. For a given signal-to-noise ratio and a given wavelength, the accuracy of the measurement is increased as the distance between the apertures is made larger. This condition obtains until the distance between the apertures is made so large that the wave front may no longer be considered to be a plane. This is the condition in which

Claims (104)

1. A meThod of determining at least one otherwise unknown dimension of the position-motion state of at least one selected point of a plurality of points in space relative to the position of at least one other of said plurality of points; said plurality of points being divided into two groups of points, each group of points comprising at least one point of said plurality of points; each point of the first group of points, hereinafter called an apex point, being the apex of at least one angle; each point of the second group of points, hereinafter called an arm point, being contained in one arm of at least one of said angles and being a point along the trajectory of a moving object; at least one dimension of the position-motion state of at least one of said second group of points being known a priori; said method comprising the following elements: Element 1. Determining relative to a particular one of said apex points angular data related to said particular apex point and at least one said arm point, said angular data being dependent upon the variation of direction of said moving object relative to said apex point which variation is resultant of the motion of said moving object at said last mentioned arm point, Element 2. Performing a plurality of determinations as described in Element 1 such that at least one dimension of the position-motion state of at least one selected point of said plurality of points becomes physically defined relative to the position-motion state of other of said plurality of points by the values of said plurality of determinations, by the known parameters related to said determinations, and by at least one said dimension which one said dimension is at least bounded by a priori data, Element 3. Computing at least one dimension of the positionmotion state of at least one selected point of said plurality of points using the information obtained in Element 1 and Element 2 and at least one said dimension known a priori.
2. A method as described in claim 1 further characterized in that the position of at least one of said apex points is known.
3. A method as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said selected point is an arm point.
4. A method as recited in claim 1, further defined in that said selected point is an apex point.
5. A method as described in claim 1, further defined in that Element 2 comprises performing a redundancy of said determinations, and computing in Element 3 the most probable values for the coordinates of the position of said selected point.
6. A method as described in claim 1, comprising Element 1A. Determining the differences between selected ranges from at least one of said apex points to said arm points, said ranges each being between one of said arm points and one of said apex points; and further comprising using the information derived in Element 1A in Element 2 and in Element 3.
7. A method as recited in claim 1, further defined in accomplishing Element 2 in such a manner that there exists a finite number of points, hereinafter called false points, whose positions are defined, as well as the position of said selected point, by the determined data and a priori data described in Element 2; and further defined in performing Element 2 in such a manner that a redundancy of said data is made available; and employing said redundant data in Element 3 to determine the true selected point.
8. A method as recited in claim 1, further defined in accomplishing Element 2 in such a manner that there exists a finite number of points, hereinafter called false points, whose positions are defined, as well as the position of said selected point, by the determined data and a priori data described in Element 2; and further defined in that said selected point is at the position of an object and that none of said false points is necEssarily located at the position of any such object; and determining from physical and mechanical considerations the impossibility or improbability of the existence of the said object at said each false point.
9. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising in Element 3, computing at least one of the coordinates of the position of said selected point in any desired coordinate system.
10. A method as described in claim 1, further defined in that Element 1 comprises determining the range from a single apex point to each arm point.
11. A method as described in claim 1, further defined in that said selected point is an arm point and the position of said last mentioned arm point being determined relative to other of said arm points.
12. A method as described in claim 1, further defined in said selected point being an apex point and at least one dimension of the position-motion state of said last mentioned apex point being determined relative to other of said apex points.
13. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising; Element 1A, using the laws of motion and determining thereby relationships between said arm points; and further defined in using the information derived in Element 1A in performing Element 2 and Element 3.
14. A method as recited in claim 1, further defined in comprising: Element 1A, determining the variations of selected ranges, said ranges each being between one of said arm points and one of said apex points; and further defined in using the information derived in Element 1A in performing Element 2 and Element 3.
15. A method as recited in claim 1, further defined in that said unknown dimension is a dimension of position of said selected point.
16. A method as recited in claim 1, further defined in that said unknown dimension is a dimension of motion.
17. A method as recited in claim 1, further defined in employing inertial means at said apex points in performing Element 1.
18. A method as recited in claim 1, further defined in that said dimension known a priori is a dimension of position.
19. A method as recited in claim 1, further defined in that said dimension known a priori is a dimension of motion.
20. A method as recited in claim 1, further defined in Element 1 by determining the variation of at least one trigonometric function of an angle whose apex is at each said apex point, using for the purpose of this determining single aperture wave means.
21. A method as recited in claim 1, further defined in that a plurality of position dimensions define the position of a starting arm point on the path of said moving object; and further defined in that said last mentioned position dimensions are known a priori.
22. A method as recited in claim 1, further defined in performing Element 1 and Element 2 in such a manner that said unknown dimension of the position-motion state of said selected point in space is redundantly determined and further defined in performing Element 3 in such a manner that the value of said unknown dimension is separately computed using a plurality of separate combinations of the data determined in Element 1 and of the dimensions known a priori; and further defined in Element 3 in determining weights to be applied to each such last mentioned computation indicating the relative merit of said last mentioned computation; and further defined in Element 3 in computing a best estimate of the true value of said unknown dimension employing the weighted values separately determined.
23. A method as recited in claim 1 further defined in there being but a single apex point, further defined in employing apparatus at said single apex point which apparatus establishes at least one axis through said single apex point, further defined in employing said apparatus in the peformance of Element 1 and Element 2, and further defined in saId angular data being dependent upon said axis.
24. A method as recited in claim 1 further defined in there being but a single apex point, further defined in Element 1 employing apparatus responsive to the variations of the cosine of the angle between an axis through said apex point and the direction of an arm point from said apex point, and further defined in performing Element 2 employing apparatuses responsive to the variations of angles relative to at least two separate axes through said apex point.
25. A method as recited in claim 1 further defined in there being a plurality of apex points, further defined in performing Element 1 employing apparatus responsive to the variations of the cosine of the angle between an axis through said particular one of said apex points and the direction of an arm point from said particular one of said apex points, and further defined in performing Element 2 employing at least one of such apparatuses at each of said apex points.
26. A method as recited in claim 1 further defined in there being a plurality of said apex points, further defined in there being a plurality of axes through each apex point, each axis of said plurality of axes being established by apparatus responsive to the variations of the cosine of the angle beween said each axis and the direction from said each apex point to said arm point, further defined in all of said axes being fixed relative to one another, and further defined in all of said apex points being fixed in position relative to one another.
27. A method as recited in claim 1 further defined in each apex point being traversed by at least one fixed axis; there being at each apex point at least two angles hereinafter called ''''bearings'''' associated with each axis through said each apex point; one arm of each bearing being coincident with said last mentioned axis and the other arm including one of said arm points; performing Element 1 by determining relative to a first apex point and a first axis through said first apex point the value of function of a first and a second bearing associated respectively with a first and a second arm point, such a function hereinafter called a ''''bearing function''''; and in Element 2, comprising determining the values of a plurality of bearing functions, all of said plurality of points being included in the arms and apexes of the bearings associated with said plurality of bearing functions.
28. A method as recited in claim 27 further defined in there being but a single apex point; further defined in there being established by plural wave aperture means a plurality of axes through said single apex point; further defined in that said bearing function is the difference between the cosines of two bearings relative to the same axis.
29. A method as recited in claim 27 further defined in there being a plurality of apex points; further defined in there being established by plural wave aperture means a plurality of axes through each said apex point; further defined in that each said bearing function is the difference between the cosines of two bearings relative to the same axis.
30. A method as recited in claim 1 further defined in said unknown dimension of the position-motion state is a dimension of position; further defined in that said selected point is an arm point; further defined in there being established by plural wave aperture means a plurality of axes through each said apex point; further defined in each said axis being established by two wave apertures spaced from each other; further defined in there being at each apex point at least two angles hereinafter called ''''bearings'''' associated with each axis through said each apex point, one arm of each said bearing being coincident with said last-mentioned axis and the other arm including one of said arm points further defined in Element 1 in said angular data being the difference between the cosines of two bearings relative to the same axis; further defined in Element 2 comprising determining a multiplicity of such data, all the points of said plurality of points being included in the arms and apexes of the bearings associated with said multiplicity of such data.
31. A method as recited in claim 30, further defined in there being but a single apex point and further defined in at least one dimension of position of at least one arm point being known a priori.
32. A method as recited in claim 30 further defined in there being a plurality of apex points and further defined in at least one dimension of position of at least one of said arm points being known a priori.
33. A method of determining at least one dimension of the position-motion state of a moving object relative to a reference frame established by the positions of a plurality of wave apertures; there being at least one dimension of said position-motion state known a priori; said moving object constituting a wave aperture defining the position of said moving object and cooperative with said plurality of wave apertures; said method comprising the following elements; Element 1. Performing a plurality of simultaneous measurements of only the variations of trigonometric functions of angles whose apexes are at a plurality of separate points on said reference frame and which points on said reference frame are determined by the locations of said wave apertures, each said angle being defined relative to an axis through said point by the locations of the wave apertures which define the position of the apex of said angle, said variations of trigonometric functions being dependent upon the motion of said moving object relative to said reference frame; Element 2. Computing at least one dimension of the position-motion state of said moving object using simultaneously the dimensions of its position-motion state known a priori and the data resultant of said plurality of simultaneous measurements.
34. A method recited in claim 33 further defined in that said dimension of the position-motion state known a priori is a dimension of position and the dimension of the positive-motion state of the moving object determined by the claimed process is also a dimension of position.
35. A method as recited in claim 33 further defined in that said dimension of the position-motion state of said moving object known a priori is a dimension of position and the dimension of the position-motion state of the moving object determined by the claimed process is a dimension of motion.
36. A method as recited in claim 33 further defined in that said dimension of the position-motion state of said moving object known a priori is a dimension of motion and the dimension of the position-motion state of the moving object determined by the claimed process is a dimension of position.
37. A method as recited in claim 33 further defined in that said dimension of the position-motion state of said moving object known a priori is a dimension of motion and the dimension of the position-motion state of the moving object determined by the claimed process is also a dimension of motion.
38. A method of determining at least one dimension of the position-motion state of a moving object relative to a reference frame upon which is already known at least one dimension of the position-motion state of said moving object; the position on said reference frame of said moving object being defined by a wave aperture which is a part of said moving object; said method comprising the following elements; Element 1. Performing a plurality of simultaneous measurements of only the variations of angles whose apexes are established at a plurality of separate points on said reference frame by a plurality of wave apertures cooperative with the wave aperture of said moving object; the measured angular variations being variations dependent upon the variations of the directions of said moving object from said separate points owing to the motioN of said moving object on said reference frame. Element 2. Computing at least one dimension of the position-motion state of said moving object using simultaneously at least one known dimension of the position-motion state of said moving object and the data resultant of said plurality of simultaneous measurements.
39. a method as recited in claim 38 further defined in that said one dimension of the position-motion state which is already known is a dimension of position and the dimension of the position-motion state of the moving object determined by the claimed process also is a dimension of position.
40. A method as recited in claim 38 further defined in that said one dimension of the position-motion state which is already known is a dimension of position and the dimension of position-motion state of the moving object determined by the claimed process is a dimension of motion.
41. A method as recited in claim 38 further defined in that said one dimension of the position-motion state which is already known is a dimension of motion and the dimension of position-motion state of the moving object determined by the claimed process is a dimension of position.
42. A method as recited in claim 38 further defined in that said one dimension of the position-motion state which is already known is a dimension of motion and the dimension of the position-motion state of the moving object determined by the claimed process also is a dimension of motion.
43. A system of apparatus for the determination of the position of a moving object in space, comprising a plurality of means measuring the angular variation of a line between said moving object and the point of location of each of said means; all of said means being located on a common frame relative to which said variation is measured; said variation being measured from a known direction of said line; and computing means determining the position of said moving object from said measurements.
44. A system of apparatus for the determination of the variation of position of a moving object in space, comprising a plurality of means measuring the angular variation of a line between said moving object and the point of location of each of said means; all of said means being located on a common frame relative to which said variation is measured; said variation being measured from a known direction of said line; and computing means determining the variation of position of said moving object from said measurements.
45. A multistatic method of determining at least one unknown dimension of the position-motion state of at least one selected point of a plurality of points in space relative to the position of at least one other of said plurality of points; said plurality of points comprising a first group of points and a second group of points; said first group of points comprising at least two points; said second group of points comprising at least one point; at least one point of said first group of points, hereinafter called an apex point, being the apex of at least one angle; each point of the second group of points, hereinafter called an arm point, being contained in one arm of at least one of said angles and being a point along the trajectory of a moving object; said method comprising the following elements: Element 1. Automatically determining relative to a particular one of said apex points angular data related to an angle at said particular apex point and at least one said arm point, said angular data being dependent upon the variation of the direction of said moving object relative to said apex point which variation is resultant of the motion of said moving object at said last mentioned arm point; Element 2. Automatically determining independently of any function as described in Element 1 and independently of any angle determining apparatus at any apex point, relative to a plurality of points in said first group of points and relative to at least one Of said arm points, nonvariational geometric data which geometric data is dependent upon at least one dimension of the otherwise unknown position of said moving object; Element 3. Automatically performing a plurality of determinations as described in Element 1 and in Element 2 such that there exists at least one unknown dimension of the position-motion state of at least one selected point of said plurality of points defined relative to the dimensions of the position-motion state of other of said plurality of points by the values of said plurality of determinations and by the known parameters related to said determinations; Element 4. Automatically computing at least one dimension of the position-motion state of at least one selected point of said plurality of points using the data obtained in Element 1, Element 2, and Element 3.
46. A method as recited in claim 45 further defined in that said geometric data determined in Element 2 comprises at least one element of data that is linearly dependent upon at least one range to at least one of said arm points from one of said first group of points.
47. A method as recited in claim 45 further defined in that said geometric data determined in Element 2 comprises at least one dimension of the position-motion state of said moving object.
48. A method as recited in claim 45 further defined in that said geometric data determined in Element 2 comprises at least one element of angular data.
49. A method as recited in claim 45 further defined in performing Element 1, Element 2, and Element 3 in such a manner that said unknown dimension of the position-motion state of said selected point in space is redundantly determined, and further defined in performing Element 4 in such a manner that the value of said unknown dimension is separately computed using a plurality of separate combinations of the data determined in Element 1 and in Element 2; and further defined in Element 3 in determining weights to be applied to each such last mentioned computation indicating the relative merit of said last mentioned computation; and further defined in Element 4 in computing a best estimate of the true value of said unknown dimension employing the weighted values separately determined.
50. A method as recited in claim 45 further defined in said second group of points comprising but a single arm point, said single arm point being the location of said moving object and further defined in Element 1 in said angular variations being rate variations.
51. A method as recited in claim 45 further defined in that the angular variations recited in Element 1 are incremental variations.
52. A method as recited in claim 45 further defined in that said selected point is a point of said first group of points.
53. A method as recited in claim 45 further defined in that said selected point is a point of said second group of points.
54. A method as recited in claim 45 further defined in that said moving object is a vehicle and further defined in comprising in Element 2 using apparatus aboard said moving vehicle determining relative to a plurality of points in said first group of points nonvariational geometric data which geometric data is dependent upon at least one dimension of the position of said moving object.
55. A method as recited in claim 54 further defined in that said nonvariational geometric data is data relative to at least one angle whose apex is at the point of the position of said moving object.
56. A method as recited in claim 45 further defined in performing Element 2 in such a manner that separate measurement means used in the performance of separate parts thereof operate simultaneously.
57. A method as recited in claim 45 further defined in performing Element 1 in such a manner that separate measurement means used in thE performance of separate parts thereof operate simultaneously.
58. A method as recited in claim 45 further defined in performing Element 1 and Element 2 in such a manner that separate means functional in the performance of each of these elements operates simultaneously with separate means used in the performance of the other element.
59. A method of determining at least one dimension of the otherwise unknown and unbounded position-motion state of at least one selected point of a plurality of points in space relative to the position of at least one other of said plurality of points; said plurality of points being divided into two groups of points, a first group of points and a second group of points, said first group of points comprising at least two points, said second group of points comprising at least one point; at least one point of said first group of points, hereinafter called an apex point, being the apex of at least one angle; each point of the second group of points, hereinafter called an arm point, being contained in one arm of at least one of said angles and being a point along the trajectory of a moving vehicle; comprising the following elements: Element 1. Automatically determining relative to a particular one of said apex points angular data related to an angle at said particular apex point and at least one said arm point, said angular data being dependent upon the variation of the direction at said particular apex point of said moving vehicle relative to said particular apex point which variation is resultant of the motion of said moving vehicle at said last mentioned arm point; Element 2. Using means aboard said moving vehicle independently of any function as described in Element 1 or apparatus used therefor determining at least one dimension of the otherwise unknown and unbounded position-motion state of said vehicle independently of any measurement of direction of said moving vehicle relative to any axis through any apex point which axis does not include an arm point; Element 3. Automatically performing a plurality of determinations as described in Element 1 and in Element 2 such that at least one unknown dimension of the position-motion state of at least one selected point of said plurality of points is physically defined, geometrically and dynamically, relative to the position-motion state of other of said plurality of points by the values of said plurality of determinations and by the known parameters related to said determinatioins; Element 4. Automatically computing at least one dimension of the position-motion state of at least one selected point of said plurality of points using the data obtained in Element 1, Element 2, and Element 3.
60. A method as recited in claim 59 further defined in said means aboard said moving vehicle comprises inertial elements.
61. A method as recited in claim 59 further defined in said means aboard said moving vehicle comprising angle determining apparatus.
62. A method as recited in claim 59 further defined in said means aboard said moving vehicle comprising apparatus for determining angles whose apexes are at the position point of said moving vehicle.
63. A method as recited in claim 59 further defined in said means aboard said moving vehicle comprising apparatus for determining variational angular data relative to at least one angle whose apex is at the position point of said moving vehicle.
64. A method as recited in claim 59 further defined in said means aboard said moving vehicle comprising apparatus for determining nonvariational angular data relative to at least one angle whose apex is at the position point of said moving vehicle.
65. A method as recited in claim 59 further defined in said means aboard said moving vehicle comprising inertial apparatus for determining at least one axis through the position point of said vehicle and further comprising means for determining angular data relative to said axis.
66. A method as recited in claim 59 further defined in said means aboard said moving vehicle comprising means cooperative with apparatus at at least one point of said first group of points.
67. A method as recited in claim 59 further defined in said means aboard said mving vehicle comprising means cooperative with means at at least one point of said first group of points for determining nonvariational data linearly dependent upon the range between said last mentioned point and said moving vehicle.
68. A method as recited in claim 59 further defined in said means aboard said moving vehicle comprising means cooperative with means at at least one point of said first group of points for determining variational data linearly dependent upon the range between said last mentioned point and said moving vehicle.
69. A method as recited in claim 59 further defined in said dimension of the position-motion state recited in Element 2 being nominally the same as that dimension of the position-motion state recited in Element 3 and Element 4, and further defined in that the derived value of said dimension computed in Element 4 is the weighted combination of redundant independent determinations of said dimension and is of improved accuracy.
70. A method as recited in claim 59 further defined in employing doppler means in Element 2.
71. A method as recited in claim 59 further defined in performing Element 2 in such a manner that the position of one of said arm points is determined, and further defined in that the dimension of the position-motion state computed in Element 4 is not one of the dimensions of the position determined in Element 2.
72. A method of determining at least one dimension of the otherwise unknown and unbounded position-motion state of at least one selected point of a plurality of points in space relative to the position of at least one other of said plurality of points; said plurality of points comprising a first group of points and a second group of points; each of said first group of points comprising at least one point; each of said second group of points comprising at least one point; each point of said first group of points hereinafter being called a group one point; each point of said second group of points hereinafter being called a group two point; each group two point being a point along the path of a moving object; said method comprising the following elements: Element 1. Determining variational angular data relative to at least one angle whose apex is at at least one group two point and at least one of whose arms includes a particular one of said group one points said data being such that the direction of said particular one of said group one points is not determined independently by said data alone relative to any known axis; Element 2. Performing a plurality of determinations as described in Element 1 such that resultant thereof there becomes physically defined at least one dimension of the position-motion state of at least one selected point of said plurality of points relative to the position-motion state of other of said plurality of points by the values of said plurality of determinations and by the known parameters related to said determinations; and Element 3. Computing at least one dimension of the position-motion state of at least one selected point of said plurality of points using the information obtained in Element 1 and in Element 2.
73. A method as recited in claim 72 further defined in that the position of at least one of the group one points is known.
74. A method as recited in claim 72 further defined in that the position of at least one of the group two points is known.
75. A method as recited in claim 72 further defined in that said selected point is a group one point.
76. A method as recited in claim 72 further defined in that said selected point is a group two point.
77. A method as recited in claim 72 further defined in that Element 2 comprises performing a redundancy of said determinations, and computing in Element 3 the most probable value for at least one dimension of the position-motion state of said selected point.
78. A method as described in claim 72 further characterized in that said selected point is a group one point and the position of said last mentioned group one point being determined relative to other of said group one points.
79. A method as recited in claim 72 further characterized in that said selected point being a group two point and at least one dimension of the position-motion state of said last mentioned group two point being determined relative to the other of said group two points.
80. A method as recited in claim 72 further comprising Element 1A, determining characteristics of motion of said moving object; and further characterized in that the information derived in Element 1A is utilized in Element 2 and Element 3.
81. A method as recited in claim 72 further comprising Element 1A, using laws of motion relative to the moving object and determining thereby relationships between said group two points; and further characterized in using the information derived in Element 1A in performing Element 2 and Element 3.
82. A method as recited in claim 72 further defined in that said moving object is a moving vehicle, and further defined in performing Element 1 using apparatus aboard said moving vehicle.
83. A method as recited in claim 72 further defined in that said moving object is a moving vehicle and further defined in performing Element 1 using inertial mechanisms aboard said moving vehicle.
84. A method as recited in claim 82 further defined in performing Element 1 using star tracking mechanisms aboard said moving vehicle.
85. A method as recited in claim 72 further defined in said angular data being data of the variations of angles between directions of said group one points from said moving object.
86. A method as recited in claim 72 further defined in said angular data being data of variations of angles between at least one axis through said moving object and the directions of said group one points from said moving object.
87. A method as recited in claim 72 further defined in said angular data being data of variations of angles between at least one known axis through said moving object and the directions of said group one points from said moving object.
88. A method as recited in claim 72 further defined in said angular data being data of the variation of trigonometric functions of angles whose apexes are at said moving objects and at least one of whose arms include a group one point.
89. A method as recited in claim 72 further defined in said angular data being data of incremental measurements relative to variations of angles whose apexes are at said moving object and at least one of whose arms includes a group one point.
90. A method as recited in claim 72 further defined in said angular data being data of rate type measurements relative to variations of angles whose apexes are at said moving object and at least one of whose arms include a group one point.
91. A method as defined in claim 72 further comprising Element 1A, by process independent of any process employed in Element 1 determining at least one dimension of the position-motion state of said moving object; and further defined in employing the data derived in Element 1A, in Element 2 and in Element 3.
92. A method as recited in claim 91 further characterized by the use of inertial means in the performance of Element 1A.
93. A method as recited in claim 91 further characterized by use of doppler means in the performance of Element 1A.
94. A method as recited in claim 91 further characterized by use of automatic navigation means in the performance of Element 1A.
95. A method as recited in claim 91 further characterized by use of ranging means in the performance of Element 1A.
96. A method as recited in claim 91 further characterized by use of star tracking means in the performance of Element 1A.
97. A method as recited in claim 91 further characterized by use of angle measuring means in the performance of Element 1A.
98. A method as recited in claim 72 further comprising Element 1A: by processes independent of processes employed in Element 1 determining geometric data by doppler means, and further defined in employing data from Element 1A in Element 2 and Element 3.
99. A method as recited in claim 72 further comprising Element 1A: by processes independent of processes employed in Element 1 determining geometric data by ranging means, and further defined in employing data from Element 1A in Element 2 and Element 3.
100. A method as recited in claim 72 further comprising Element 1A: by processes independent of processes employed in Element 1 determining geometric data by star tracking means, and further defined in employing data from Element 1A in Element 2 and in Element 3.
101. A method as recited in claim 72 further comprising Element 1A: by processes independent of processes employed in Element 1 determining geometric data by automatic navigation means, and further defined in employing data from Element 1A in Element 2 and in Element 3.
102. A method as recited in claim 72 further comprising Element 1A: by processes independent of processes employed in Element 1 determining geometric data by angle measuringn means, and further defined in employing data from Element 1A in Element 2 and in Element 3.
103. A method as recited in claim 72 further comprising Element 1A: by processes independent of processes employed in Element 1 determining geometric data by inertial means, and further defined in employing data from Element 1A in Element 2 and in Element 3.
104. A method as recited in claim 91 further defined in said dimension of the position-motion state recited in Element 1A being nominally the same as that dimension of the position-motion state recited in Element 2 and Element 3, and further defined in that the derived value of said dimension computed in Element 3 is the weighted combination of redundant independent determinations of said dimension and is of improved accuracy.
US288429A 1961-02-02 1972-09-12 Method and apparatus for automatically determining position-motion state of a moving object Expired - Lifetime US3866229A (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US86770A US3706096A (en) 1961-02-02 1961-02-02 Polystation doppler system tracking of vehicles,measuring displacement and rate thereof and similar applications
US817765A US3691560A (en) 1961-02-02 1969-04-21 Method and apparatus for geometrical determination
US00074180A US3795911A (en) 1961-02-02 1970-09-21 Method and apparatus for automatically determining position-motion state of a moving object
US288429A US3866229A (en) 1961-02-02 1972-09-12 Method and apparatus for automatically determining position-motion state of a moving object
US05/296,321 US3996590A (en) 1961-02-02 1972-10-10 Method and apparatus for automatically detecting and tracking moving objects and similar applications
US05/448,071 US3953856A (en) 1961-02-02 1974-03-04 Method and apparatus for mapping and similar applications

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US86770A US3706096A (en) 1961-02-02 1961-02-02 Polystation doppler system tracking of vehicles,measuring displacement and rate thereof and similar applications
US817765A US3691560A (en) 1961-02-02 1969-04-21 Method and apparatus for geometrical determination
US288429A US3866229A (en) 1961-02-02 1972-09-12 Method and apparatus for automatically determining position-motion state of a moving object
US05/296,321 US3996590A (en) 1961-02-02 1972-10-10 Method and apparatus for automatically detecting and tracking moving objects and similar applications

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